HLS 23RS-2675 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 115
BY REPRESENTATIVE MCFARLAND
CHILDREN: Creates a task force to support the cross-agency work associated with the
recreation of Early Childhood Supports and Services program in this state
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To create a task force to support the cross-agency work associated with the creation of the
3 Early Childhood Supports and Services program in Louisiana and to hold the
4 Louisiana Department of Health accountable for the responsible and timely
5 development and delivery of the program.
6 WHEREAS, the Early Childhood Supports and Services (ECSS) program provides
7a coordinated system of screening, evaluation, referral services, and treatment for children,
8ranging from ages zero to five and their families; and
9 WHEREAS, the comprehensive services provided by ECSS fosters an environment
10for learning, growth, and relationship building; and
11 WHEREAS, the program includes but is not limited to local, integrated, and
12comprehensive systems of care for young children; and
13 WHEREAS, today, many families in Louisiana have been significantly impacted by
14the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in rural and low-income communities facing mental
15health service barriers for children; and
16 WHEREAS, Louisiana recently allocated available funds via the American Rescue
17Plan Act of 2021 and hopes to bring back a successful program that supports families with
18young children with mental health and wrap-around services; and
19 WHEREAS, the long-term success and sustainability of such a program requires a
20multidisciplinary approach and cross-collaboration of state agencies; and
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HCR NO. 115
1 WHEREAS, the implementation of this program can significantly impact families
2in need of services while diverting such families from costly programs like child welfare
3interventions, the juvenile justice system, and lessening their dependance on social benefit
4programs; and
5 WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Louisiana Legislature to propose rules and
6regulations to utilize state funds for programs that pour into local communities and ensure
7the safety of Louisiana citizens.
8 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
9create a task force to support the cross-agency work associated with the creation of the Early
10Childhood Supports and Services program in Louisiana and to hold the Louisiana
11Department of Health accountable for the responsible and timely development and delivery
12of the program.
13 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the council shall initially consist of the
14following members:
15 (1) The professor of Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Public Health Head, Division of
16Pediatric Mental Health, from the Louisiana State University Health School of Medicine or
17his designee.
18 (2) The director of the Tulane Medical School Institute of Infant and Early
19Childhood Mental Health or his designee.
20 (3) The assistant secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, office of
21behavioral health, or his designee.
22 (4) The assistant program manager for Early Steps, Louisiana Department of Health,
23office of citizens with developmental disabilities, or his designee.
24 (5) The assistant secretary of Family Support, Department of Children and Family
25Services, or his designee.
26 (6) The deputy commissioner of the division of administration or his designee.
27 (7) The executive director of TrainingGrounds, Inc. or his designee.
28 (8) The executive director of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families
29or his designee.
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HCR NO. 115
1 (9) The executive director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children or his
2designee.
3 (10) A representative from the Moms of Black Boys United for Social Change.
4 (11) A representative from the Early Childhood Systems, office of the governor, or
5his designee.
6 (12) The president of the Louisiana Senate or his designee.
7 (13) The speaker of the Louisiana House of Representative or his designee.
8 (14) An appointee from the Children's Cabinet Advisory Board.
9 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Department of Health shall
10provide staff to support the task force required by this Resolution and designate a chair at
11its first meeting.
12 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall report its progress to the
13Louisiana Legislature.
14 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that on or before February 1, 2024, the task force
15shall submit to the House and Senate committees on health and welfare and the David R.
16Poynter Legislative Research Library a written report of its findings and recommendations.
17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
18secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, the professor of Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and
19Public Health Head, Division of Pediatric Mental Health, from the Louisiana State
20University Health School of Medicine, the executive director of the Tulane Medical School
21Institute for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, the assistant secretary of the
22Louisiana Department of Health, office of behavioral health, the assistant program manager
23for Early Steps, Louisiana Department of Health, office of citizens with developmental
24disabilities, the assistant secretary of Family Support, Department of Children and Family
25Services, the deputy commissioner of the division of administration, the executive director
26of TrainingGrounds, Inc., the executive director of the Louisiana Partnership for Children
27and Families, the executive director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, Moms of
28Black Boys United for Social Change, Early Childhood Systems, office of the governor, and
29the Children's Cabinet Advisory Board.
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HCR NO. 115
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HCR 115 Original 2023 Regular Session McFarland
Creates a task force to support the cross-agency work associated with the creation of the
Early Childhood Supports and Services program in Louisiana and to hold the La. Dept. of
Health accountable for the responsible and timely development and delivery of the program.
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